You’re only as strong as your weakest link. Although trite, the phrase embodies what manufacturing plants and processing facilities have worked to overcome for years: How do you plan for and prevent broken equipment in your lean production culture?

Another trite phrase hints at the answer: The weakest link is the strongest because it can break the chain.

Preventive and routine maintenance models help alleviate downtime and boost overall production. The most popular method is Total Productive Maintenance (TPM).

TPM brings maintenance into focus as a vital part of business. Maintenance downtime is included in manufacturing scheduling, and in many cases becomes an integral part of the manufacturing process. TPM assigns the responsibility for preventive and routine maintenance to the same people who operate a particular piece of equipment, which puts the people most familiar with the machine in charge of its care.

TPM is similar to 5S, which creates effective workplace organization and standardized procedures to improve safety, quality, productivity, and employee attitude.

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